The Unknown Ajax (thoughts)

I’d like to welcome Georgette Heyer to my blog, which is today’s stop on her Classics Circuit tour.

As I was reading The Unknown Ajax, which is my sixth or seventh Heyer, I tried to pinpoint why I enjoy her novels. It couldn’t be the characters…they were all pretty much stereotypes, with a few distinguishing features added. And it couldn’t be the plot, since you could see everything that was going to happen from a mile away. I have no inherent interest in Regency England, so it’s not the setting either. And yet, her books always bring a smile to my face. I think there’s two reasons. The first is that, sometimes, as a reader I just need a break. I want a story I can float along with, in which the good end happily and the bad unhappily, and there’s no deeper meaning than that. In that, I see Heyer like some kind of simple, rich dessert. I can depend upon it to taste delicious, because it’s chock full of sugar and cream and chocolate and the other things that make baking a no-brainer. Sometimes, I need a bit of comfort food, rather than more exotic fare, however delicious it may be. But at the same time, if I were to start eating it every week, I would quickly become tired of it. It’s a strict, in-case-of-emotional-emergencies kind of thing. So there’s the relaxation factor of Heyer. But even when I’m reading ‘break’ books that don’t demand my full capacities, I still have expectations. And that’s where the second reason comes in…sure, Heyer might follow formulas with her Regency pieces and stay within the bounds of convention. But she does so with style. Her research and historical accuracy is impeccable. Her writing style leans towards the show rather than tell side. Her dialogue sparks. And her leading men are always appealing. I couldn’t live on Heyer alone. But when I’m exhausted and my poor brain needs a vacation, I’m happy to reach for a Heyer and grateful that she has such an extensive backlist.

Aarti recommended that I read The Unknown Ajax, since it’s marvelous and no one else on the tour had selected it. Since she’s a Heyer expert, I deferred to her, and I’m happy that I did so! I knew nothing about the book going into it, although within the first chapter, I could guess what was going to happen. ;) The book is set in an out-of-the-way country estate, whose down-at-its-heels aristocratic family is led by crochety Lord Darracott. One of his daughters-in-law, who has been a widow for many years, lives on the estate with her own high-spirited daughter and coddled son (the latter being the Lord’s favourite grandchild). Their life is far from a bed of roses, but seems unlikely to change, until the Lord’s eldest son dies with his own only son in a boating accident. Thanks to primogeniture inheritance laws, the Lord’s new heir is a man he’s never set eyes on before; the only offspring of a marriage between the Lord’s second eldest son and a weaver’s daughter, which resulted in the Lord cutting off any contact. Got all that so far? So, the Lord demands that his new heir come to the estate, and with the idea of trying to whip this lower-class man into a gentleman also summons two of his other grandsons. This sets the stage for all sorts of farcical adventures, and I quite enjoyed the ride.

Anthea, the granddaughter is much what I’ve come to expect from a Heyer heroine. She knows her own mind and isn’t afraid to say so, Hugo, the new heir, is quite the hero…a former Major in the army, 6’4″ in his stocking feet, and known to break out into Yorkshire brogue on occasion. The supporting cast is amusing as well; Anthea’s cousins, Victor and Claude, are London gentlemen. The former is a vitriolic Corinthian who resents Hugo’s existence, since it cuts off his own chance to inherit. The latter is a wannabe dandy, and definitely a marvelous comic relief character! Their mother is a smoothly unruffled, majestic aristocrat, who mainly chooses to ignore everything going on as beneath her notice. She was my favourite of the minor characters.

I’m finding it difficult to review this, since I don’t think there’s much else to say! It’s a strong Heyer novel, and it lived up to all of my expectations. It hasn’t displaced the reign of my favourite (Friday’s Child) or even my second-favourite (The Talisman Ring), but it’s definitely worth a read. If you’re craving a light, romantic comedy with strong writing and historical authenticity, definitely give Heyer a try! I bet, like me, you’ll find yourself reaching for her in the future whenever you need a smile.

I will add, though, that I find the comparisons to Austen unwarranted, and troublesome to both parties. Heyer’s novels are not a substitute for an Austen lover who’s come to the end of her canon, and if you go in expecting her to be similar, I think you’ll be disappointed. But if you go in expecting a frothy meringue of a good time*, Heyer can deliver that!

Do you have an author you turn to when you need a break from heavier reading?

-*-

Footnote One: I’ve heard that some of her historical novels are much more serious. Since my own Heyer reading has been confined to her Regency romances, I can’t speak to that. So take my opinion with a grain of salt. :)<